Aaliyah S.

In 2013, Aaliyah started getting severe headaches that sometimes lasted for two days. On March 4, 2013, tests revealed that she had a baseball-sized malignant brain tumor. The scans showed that the tumor was sitting at the base of her brain stem, connected to her spine.

Her treatment began immediately. Over the last three years, Aaliyah has endured eight surgeries, three of which were brain surgery. She has been through several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, all of which have placed her in the hospital for weeks at a time.

At the time, surgeries were only able to remove about 70% of the tumor because of where it was located. As a result of the surgeries, she had lost all of her motor skills and the ability to talk, but worked hard to regain them through physical therapy. Also over the last three years, she has also been on many medications which make her nauseous and sleepy.

In August of 2016, routine scans showed the tumor had once again doubled in size. Aaliyah had another brain surgery where they were only able to remove 80% of the tumor. This time, the risks of permanent brain damage were too great to undergo radiation and chemotherapy would not help.

Aaliyah and her family have started vitamin therapy along with numerous medications to help her battle the tumor. She is only able to attend school for a few hours each day due to the medications and her present condition.

Despite all of these challenges Aaliyah continues to be “Sparrow Strong”. She is a beautiful, sweet ten year old, who loves to bake, color, sing and dance. Aaliyah defines the word courageous..

Aaliyah will be adopted as a Sparrow to Liberty High School. Students will work hard to raise money for Aaliyah through sponsored community service and fundraising.